Move FM Global News

ZERMATT, Switzerland: Five skiers were found dead on a mountain in Switzerland near the popular ski resort of Zermatt, officials said on May 25. Emergency teams were called after someone found abandoned skis at around 4,000 meters (13,000 feet).

Other skiers reported the skis over the weekend on the Rimpfischhorn mountain, east of Zermatt and south of the village of Saas-Fee. Rescue teams searched the area by air and on foot and found the bodies near the Adlergletscher glacier, close to the Italian border.

According to local airline Air Zermatt, three bodies were found on avalanche debris a few hundred meters below where the skis were seen. The other two were found higher up on the 4,199-meter mountain.

Air Zermatt took part in the search and rescue effort. Authorities say the identities of the five skiers are not yet known, and an investigation is underway to find out what caused the accident.

Zermatt is a well-known ski resort in the Swiss Alps, popular with wealthy skiers from Britain and other parts of Europe.